A partnership of the district's leading organisations is set to create a centre to bring communities together in harmony.

The Diversity Exchange could commission or undertake to give support to private companies which request help in recruiting from ethnic minorities, and communicate with the communities in which they are located; commission training in conflict resolution to improve the skills of people who find themselves on the front line; provide a high quality, neutral, meeting place for people and communities from across the district; work with separate communities to help them to communicate and understand each other; support initiatives which enable young people to gain an understanding of each others' cultures and faiths; organise programmes to examine examples of best practice world wide.

It would be the biggest step taken yet to implement an action plan following the Ouseley report into Bradford's race relations.

It would probably begin as a small project with minimal staff.

But private national consultants SERCO QAA and Bradford University - which did a joint feasibility study on the scheme for the Bradford Vision partnership - believe it could grow to become a national flagship.

They recommend Bradford Vision - made up of representatives including the Council, police and health and business chiefs - should establish the centre andmake it a key project.

Today, Sir Herman Ouseley, former chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, welcomed the move by Bradford Vision. He said: "Anything which promotes understanding between communities and brings people together is good."

It was also welcomed by Bradford trade unionist Mohammed Taj, a member of the team headed by Ted Cantle which studied Bradford and other cities to produce a major community cohesion report for the Home Office.

Mr Taj said: "It is all about results and we have seen none in Bradford for the last ten years. There is a huge vacuum and this is a start. If it works, this scheme could be a beacon."

But he said it was essential for everyone involved to be highly committed.

Bradford Council's assistant chief executive David Kennedy and pro-vice chancellor of the University Colin Mellors will tell a Vision board meeting next week that the research shows widespread support from private, public and community organisations for its establishment. They will recommend the board at its meeting next Wednesday to establish Britain's first Diversity Exchange.

It would probably come under the wing of the new £60,000-a-year director of community cohesion who is being recruited.

Management structures to be examined include operating it is an arm of Bradford Vision or making it independent and possibly a non-profit making company.

Serco say there are differing views in the community about whether it should be a small organisation eventually building up, or a landmark project in a prime location like Manningham Mills.

The centre would need a £100,000 budget for its first year and Serco and Bradford University say funding for salaries, basic running, and commissioning services could come from central Government or its Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

European funding is also available for work with private companies.